Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1887-10-29
View of the Scripture EthnoIogy
Of Men and Races.
By Rev. II, NJ, Murphy,
PAPER NO. TWO.


was one in three distinct periods of its
history, lowered around the same
social altar, lived under the same roof,
worshipped or dispraised the same God.
First, in the family of Adam and
Eve, second, in the Ark with Noah,
third, at the tower of Babel or "City
of Confusion
This view is not taken to show we
endorse social intercourse. for there
has been too much of that already.
especially in the past. wait for the
future-) Many names, "iests' and
ideas have been given respecting the
original parentage of the dark or Afri-
can race. In the absence of any other
view, these names have become deeply
impressed upon the minds of many, as
being true. And why may not such
be, while they serve the purpose of
scofers and those who speak in this
manner, when no one will attempt to
contradict Or refute such erroneous
opinions ? Of course we do not put
but very little faith in such misnames,
or these would be interpreters of Scrip
ture and history, yet they have become
50 deeply feted with tinge of stigma
and scandal in the absence of cstab-
lishcd truth in this late age, we cannot
but riddle them as they should be.
Cain ! Oh, Moses Holy Cain
went out from the presence of the
Lord, found a monkey, an ape,
champauzee, or an orang-outang, and
Of him, by this mammalacious quad
ruped were born all the races from
whom sprang the million different
tribes of Africa, and such men as the
writer, Douglas, Bruce, Langston,
Price, Taylor, Rcvels and thousands
of others who were once slaves in the
bull pens of glorious America, to
work out a reasonable compensation
for divine Justice and the penalty of
righteous retribution put upon C2in.
If such was the case. I would God all
courts follow the precedence. The
mark put upon Cain was badge Of
protection; for in that early age, par
ticular regards were entertained as to
the honor Of the sovereign to whom
travellers belonged, and from what
country they had come
These marks were sure signs of
protection and no one dared to harm
the bearer while he claimed to belong
to some God.
Egyptian slaves often obtain their
freedom by going to the temple and
taking upon them the mark of the
gods. The mark spoken of as having
been received by Cain, was not flesh
mark after the manner Of Jewish and
Roman slaves, but some peculiar name
Or title he was commanded to wear on
some part Of his body, or head cover
ing, for such was, and is TO this day
custom among the Jews and other
eastern nations. The kind of mark
Cain received IS mos given in the
Scripture, but the purpose for which
it was set upon him is plainly stated,
namely: As an evidence Of protection
from God. The mark vas not to be
continually used, because it did not
belong to any part Of the scheme in-
volying the salvation of the race.
1t was not our aim to speak after
this manner, but we are satisfied lit
tic more light should be thrown upon
the subject than has been.
And does any sv''vve si.~y sifv
penalty designated by such mark,
was met by The enslavcment of all
Gains postority? Proposterous
You remember that the mark was in
tended to make everybody keep his
hands of of Cain, Che highest mark of
absolute freedom. Surely Cain would
not go and give himself up as slave
and consign all his posterity to per-
petual seryile bondage; no. That
would be altogether contrary to the
purpose intended by setting the mark
upon him. "Whoso shoddeth mans
blood, By man shall his blood be she'd;
for in fine image Of God made He